CHRISTMAS: 10 Ways to get into the Festive Spirit

It's that time of year again...twinkly lights adorn doors, trees and windows, presents are being bought, stockings are being hung on decorated fireplaces and preparations for Father Christmas' visit are being made. It's almost Christmas! Though if you're anything like me it's not always that easy to get into the festive spirit, sometimes it can all be a bit overwhelming. As this is the first year Isabella is starting to really understand the magic of Christmas I am feeling the pressure to get us all in the festive spirit. So, I thought I'd share ten of my favourite activities for getting into the festive spirit with children...

RECIPE: Nutella Flapjack - an Edible Gift

Giving the gift of food is almost always received with open arms and a big smile because who doesn't love a tasty treat at Christmas? Now that Isabella is old enough to help with baking I've decided to make a few different edible gifts for family and friend's this Christmas. One of which is these indulgent flapjacks, flavoured with some of our favourite things: peanut butter, Nutella and chocolate. I mean what is there not to love? It is easy to whip up a batch of these, place them in a cellophane bag or gift box with some red ribbon and you have a thoughtful gift for a very affordable price. That is if they make it to the lucky recipients; they're incredibly moreish!

CHRISTMAS: The One-Stop Shop for Everything You Need

Christmas is coming! It really isn't long now, as the days quickly pass us by and the festive to-do list seems to be never ending it can all start to feel overwhelming. The presents need wrapping, house needs decorating, food shopping needs doing, Christmas cards need delivering, mince pies need eating and mulled wine needs drinking. I love this time of year for all of these things, but when it comes to actually doing them all, time seems to be a luxury our busy family of four simply doesn't have. Morrisons understand this and have become the one-stop shop for all of our festive needs.

STOCKING FILLERS UNDER £10: Christmas Gift Guide 2017

This is the final Gift Guide for 2017 and it's all about stocking fillers! Helping Father Christmas out is perhaps one of the most important jobs of the festive period, so this Gift Guide is filled with affordable inspiration to help with writing those wish lists this year.

SHOPPING: 21 Smaller Businesses to Support

Discovering and supporting smaller businesses is one of my favourite things to do. There are so many incredibly talented people out there offering unique products and creations that finding the perfect gift or treat for yourself couldn't be easier. I've put together twenty one of my favourite smaller businesses to support, so that your gift shopping is made that little bit easier.

CHRISTMAS: Finding Gifts the Easy Way with Wicked Uncle

On the run up to Christmas, or any special event for that matter, hours are spent thinking of what to buy loved ones. Once you have an idea the rest is easy, but that initial time thinking can feel all consuming at some points. If this sounds familiar then heading over to Wicked Uncle will make shopping for all of the children and teenagers in your life so much easier. It isn't like some other gift websites, instead it has various categories you can choose from to help find that perfect gift with ease. These include: boys, girls, ages between baby to teens, adventurer, brainiac, outdoorsy, creativity, chocolate, engineer and sensory. 

FOR HER: Christmas Gift Guide 2017

This is probably the easiest gift guide to put together because it is filled with things I would love to receive at Christmas. There's something for everyone with the focus being on supporting smaller businesses and adding that personal touch. Most of these presents would be perfect for any special event, not just Christmas. On with the gift guide...

TODDLER BEDROOM: Christmas Makeover 2017

Christmas is well and truly upon us now, with festive songs playing in the shops and a (slightly scary) limited number of weeks until Christmas Day itself. This year is particularly exciting because it is the first year Isabella is properly aware of Christmas and she is also now in her 'big girl' bedroom. A few weeks before Poppy arrived in June we moved Isabella into what was our spare room. Just prior to that we had been busy decorating it as quickly as we could (I say 'we', but at 38 weeks pregnant I was no help to anyone!) and, although it still isn't completely finished, we are so happy with the results.

CHILDREN: Christmas Gift Guide 2017

The excited faces of children on the run up to Christmas is why the magic is just so special. Finding unique gifts that are fun, educational and practical can be tricky, but I've put together some of my top gift recommendations for children this year. Personalised gifts for children add that extra touch, especially when they get to an age where they can read their own name. Who doesn't love a gift with your name on? Most of these gifts inspire children to use their imagination to explore the world of magic and creativity.

FOR HIM: Christmas Gift Guide 2017

As most of the people I buy for at Christmas are men I am fully aware of how hard it can be to find something they'll actually want and use. My Dad, two brothers and husband are all pretty hard to buy for because most of the time they don't ask for anything! This leaves it all up to me to find inspiration and cross my fingers my chosen gifts go down well.

TODDLER: Christmas Gift Guide 2017

When it comes to gifts for toddlers it all gets a lot more exciting in my experience, mainly because they start to understand what is going on. That anticipation, ripping open of the presents of Christmas morning and big smiles when they receive something they are excited about. It's when the magic truly begins! So, on with the gift guide...

UNCOMMONGOODS: 15 Gifts for Children under £30

Christmas preparations are now in full swing, with so many presents to buy and food to order. UncommonGoods is here to help with a host of unique, fun gifts for the whole family. Finding that Christmas present that is just perfect for your loved one can be difficult, but with so much inspiration for all price ranges UncommonGoods has something for everyone. It is an American company founded in 1999 with a focus on sourcing unique gifts, designer décor and handmade presents. As they are an independently-owned business it allows them to support causes they believe in through their Better to Give program, so with every purchase they donate $1 to the non-profit of your choice. Since starting the program 12 years ago UncommonGoods has donated over $1 million to charities over the world!

BABY: Christmas Gift Guide 2017

This year I thought I'd start my series of Christmas Gift Guides with the smallest little ones in our lives, babies. Shopping for babies is one of my favourite things to do, mainly because everything is so cute! I've left perhaps the more obvious gift options for babies aside and concentrated on what some of the slightly smaller companies have to offer. Supporting smaller businesses is something I love to do and you can often find such unique gifts with a little bit of hunting. To save you the time I've put together some of my favourite gifts for babies this year, so without further ado...

GIFTS: Sportsdirect.com £5 Christmas Challenge #sdfiverchallenge

As Christmas is quickly approaching it is that time of year again to start thinking about present buying. This year is particularly exciting as it is the first Christmas Isabella really has an idea of what is going on. I'm so excited for her to lay out her stocking on Christmas Eve and then wake up on Christmas morning with a stocking full of gifts. Buying presents can quickly get very expensive, especially over the festive period as there are so many different people to buy for. Luckily, sportsdirect.com have an impressive range of gifts for £5 and under.